4 days ago
CT university launches new way of learning. It's called an ‘on-ramp' for jobs and it's growing fast
It could be for those who don't have the money, time or inclination to get a college degree.
Southern Connecticut State University has developed an Office of Workforce and Lifelong Learning program that after a little more than a year is burgeoning in popularity beyond the university's expectations, said Amy C. Feest, senior program director.
Feest describes the program of classes as 'an on-ramp' to employment and upscaling existing careers.
'It's usually much less expensive (than a degree) but ends up as a credential… We are growing at a rate that we did not anticipate,' Feest said.
The program is just over a year old and Feest said they're looking at expansion.
'A lot of times people don't see themselves as being successful in college, but this is like college,' with a syllabus, sometimes homework and rigorous material.
A wide variety of useful courses are offered, many of them online ranging from $50 to $3,000.
Those who take the courses are looking to upscale their jobs, prepare for promotions or even train for a new career, Feest said.
Lisa Rudd, a nurse practitioner at a clinic in North Carolina took an online course through the program in medical Spanish so she can better communicate with Spanish speaking patients. She intends to also take a second and third level course.
Even after one course Rudd can ask what brings them to the clinic and get basic background information.
'I already see a difference from the class,' she said. 'I had zero competency and now I can understand things.'
In another scenario, Taevon Walker, 27 of Ansonia, is trying to piece together a cybersecurity and technology career by taking courses like Python (a programming language), cyber security, AWS, and coding.
He attended Fairfield University for electrical engineering after graduating from Amistad High School in 2016, but left after a year and a half because of money. Walker said he didn't like paying for electives like art history because they had nothing to do with his major.
Then he became a licensed electrician, but tired of that with an eye toward technology.
'I want to get a foot in the door for cyber security,' Walker said. 'I feel like I'll be able to land a job or career and scale up from there.'
The courses, that can run from a hours to months, include: mini MBA microcredentials, executive leadership in customer service, artificial intelligence, non-profit management, tourism and hospitality, computer science, education, health and human sciences, humanities, arts, social & behavioral sciences, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
There's also a category for Connecticut state inservice workers and the courses include de-escalation for frontline workers, redefining training with XR technologies, Spanish language and culture for front line workers, supervision in a union environment.
Feest said their original target audience was in New Haven, but now they're aiming for all of Connecticut.
Feest said many of their students have a college degree, but are looking to update skills, In some cases they are looking at a promotion to supervisor and want to learn the intricacies of handling employees, how to do a budget, or how to write an evaluation, Feest said.
'If you go to college and you graduate, passed computer class, you don't necessarily have an expertise in PowerPoint,' Feest said, 'but you can take a class here' (in PowerPoint to give you an edge in getting a job or moving up in a job).
Sometimes, Feest said, people 'who didn't see themselves as being successful in college,' change their mind after taking the courses and enroll.
Those who take the Office of Workforce and Lifelong Learning, or OWLL, courses learn, 'College isn't as scary as they thought,' Feest said.
They even have a course in MBA micro-credentials.
There are courses that don't exactly a career make, but may help get a foot in the door.
For instance, those who earn a certificate in tourism and hospitality may be more likely to land a job at a hotel, or museum because they know about the language of the industry, Feest said.
There are many technology courses and, 'That will absolutely open doors for you,' she said
Some of the programs will train for a full career, such as medical billing and coding, EKG technician, drone academy where one learns to fly a drone and prepares for licensing.
'We really need people who are skilled,' in the workforce, Feest said.
She said university officials have been 'very forwarding thinking' in supporting the initiative.
Contact Pam McLoughlin at pruddell@
